Ozempic approved in Canada to delay kidney collection, prevent cardiovascular disease

Health Canada has recently given the green light to Ozempic for reducing the risk of further decline in kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that between 30 and 50 percent of individuals with type 2 diabetes will develop some form of chronic kidney disease.

The approval was based on the findings of an international clinical study known as flow, which demonstrated that patients using Ozempic had a 24 percent lower risk of significant deterioration or failure of their kidneys compared to those using a placebo injection. Additionally, patients on Ozempic also showed a reduced risk of dying from heart disease, a common complication in diabetes patients.

Dr. David Cherney, a nephrologist at Toronto General Hospital, who led the Canadian portion of the study, emphasized that the results highlight the potential to slow down the loss of kidney function before patients reach the stage of requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. This is a significant development as dialysis and transplantation are procedures that many patients with diabetes fear.

Dr. Ehud UR, an endocrinologist in Vancouver, praised the credibility of the study results and hailed Health Canada’s approval of Ozempic as “great news” for preventing kidney complications in type 2 diabetes patients. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone that not only helps in reducing blood sugar levels but also curbs appetite.

In addition to its kidney-protective effects, Ozempic has also been shown to benefit the heart. Health Canada’s approval on August 13th extends to reducing the risk of kidney function decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. This makes Ozempic the first GLP-1 drug in Canada to offer dual protection for both the kidneys and the heart in type 2 diabetes patients.

Despite some potential gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, the benefits of delaying or halting progressive kidney disease in diabetic individuals outweigh the risks of these minor side effects. Overall, the combination of kidney and heart protection, along with potential weight loss benefits, make Ozempic a promising option for managing type 2 diabetes.

The approval of Ozempic by Health Canada marks a significant milestone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and underscores the importance of proactive management to prevent complications in patients with this chronic condition.